Obama Makes an Impression, in Sign: VIDEO
Stephon, a 26-year-old Prince George’s Community College student who was born deaf, had the opportunity to meet Obama at a March 15 event with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. When the President approached, he got Obama's attention and signed to him, and was surprised to receive an instant ASL response.
...I regret I could have done better holding my camera while talking to Obama. The moment I will never forget was when he looked at me. He gave me a chance to talk to him. It was like he was waiting for me to say something. I took the moment and signed “I am proud of you,” and his response was “Thank u” in sign language back! Oh my gosh! I was like wow! He understood me after I said I was proud of him. It was so amazing…I was just speechless. Right after he thanked me, he smiled at another deaf lady who signed “I love you.” When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me. He was just a humble man.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Like him or hate him, he's still more in touch with the masses than any 7 of the Republican presidential candidates.
Posted by: Marc C | Mar 21, 2012 9:54:07 AM
quite haeartwarming. i love Obama. but then i'm British - i don't really know everything that's going on in US politics
Posted by: DanSwon | Mar 21, 2012 9:57:17 AM
I learned ASL because my grandfather was a surgeon and used it to save lives. I've not saved lives, but people are always shocked that I know it. I always advocate that people learn it and it be treated like any foreign language to learn.
Knowing 6-7 languages is good for your brain, except when you get tired and oddly slip into Spanish or French or whatever instead of your native English. And yes, I realize that sounds a bit crazy.
Posted by: Paul R | Mar 21, 2012 10:04:01 AM
Well done Obama.
Now bring in Romney and Santorum and let them show their signs.
Posted by: Matt26 | Mar 21, 2012 10:17:59 AM
Classy man, I tell you CLASSY!!!! He just shines with all the uglineness coming from the GOP this year.
Posted by: DMM | Mar 21, 2012 10:20:04 AM
Santorum would have flipped her his middle finger...I'm sure.
Posted by: Vern Dufford | Mar 21, 2012 10:31:20 AM
Casually polished and graceful— America at its best.
Posted by: Carlie | Mar 21, 2012 11:20:17 AM
It's the sort of thing that he excels in. Perhaps someone knows where he picked it up from?
Posted by: anon | Mar 21, 2012 11:27:45 AM
God bless President Obama! This brought tears to my eyes and warmth and joy to my heart. The man is class, pure class. The GOP can go to hell. Mr. Obama is the man for this country and may he have 4 more years to serve America. I love you, Mr. President!
Posted by: jamal49 | Mar 21, 2012 11:56:11 AM
After 8 humiliating years of Dubya I never cease to be in awe of this man. It's not him that's broken, it's our system of government. Bless you Mr. President!
Posted by: AJ | Mar 21, 2012 12:06:13 PM
Very charming and graceful. A cool glass of water following these horrid debates.
Posted by: Adam Sass | Mar 21, 2012 12:15:14 PM
Your average Republican, especially Dubya: "Sorry, man, I don't speak Fingers."
Posted by: Dback | Mar 21, 2012 12:40:18 PM
President Obama is gracious & graceful under pressure.
He is the very definition of a 1st class gentleman.
Obama2012 = Better You, Better Me
Posted by: Marcito | Mar 21, 2012 12:45:09 PM
Obama makes me proud of America.
Posted by: LittleKiwi | Mar 21, 2012 1:05:20 PM
President Obama gets it to the core. We'll be very lucky to have him for the next term!
Posted by: Hollywood, CA | Mar 21, 2012 1:17:38 PM
Obama is my president. This brought a tear to my eye as well, and I sent it to every single person I know.
Posted by: Shaun | Mar 21, 2012 1:41:04 PM
beautiful president, beautiful moment, let's get four more years of this :-)
Posted by: V-8 | Mar 21, 2012 2:05:57 PM
AMERICAN POLITICIAN 101: "Know how to say Thank You in Spanish, Polish, Italian, Chinese, ASL ad infinitum." Shameless, despicable scum that he is, I bet $100 Romney knows this single gesture, too, and there's no more reason to swoon over that than this.
We must reelect Obama because he's the best candidate not for meaningless "symbols."
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Mar 21, 2012 2:17:49 PM
@MICHAEL BEDWELL: Don't be so sure our politicians are even aware of your 101 course. I doubt GW knew how to say thank you in even a third of those languages without being briefed and coached beforehand. And certainly not ASL.
Posted by: Sean in Dallas | Mar 21, 2012 5:20:49 PM
How can anyone hate this man? Even if you disagree with his politics, he always comes across as an incredibly decent, kind human being. Love him and Michelle!
Posted by: Hal | Mar 21, 2012 8:53:09 PM
He's everything a president should be! Stephon, you're pretty damn cool yourself :)
OBAMA 2012
Posted by: Yvonne | Mar 22, 2012 1:05:10 AM